What to see in Bagheria

The resort of the ancient nobility of Palermo, Bagheria has long been the scene of pomp and boast, chosen from the most important families of Palermo as a place to build their magnificent villas.

Favored for its sweet location, on a gentle slope between the sea and Mount Catalfano, made famous by the Italian film industry, with the masterpiece Baaria, the city of Bagheria is a recommended stop for those who find themselves in Palermo and the surroundings areas.

Villa Palagonia

Villa Palagonia is the most famous villa of Bagheria: it was built in the first years of 700 by the Prince of Palagonia, Ferdinando Francesco Gravina. The scenery, character, and architecture were so bizarre as to push visitors to it, which included Goethe, who talked about it in their writings.

Its park has more than 60 statues, caricatures of men that make the environment very extravagant: tradition has it, that it was the grandson of Prince Gravina, wanting to put within his large garden statues of his wife’s many lovers, thus taking revenge by depicting them with funny appearances and crippled.

The interior of the villa is partly open to visitors: the most characteristic room is the Hall of Mirrors, with the ceiling entirely covered with mirrors, as well as bust and marble sculptures that adorn the bright room.

Villa Valguarnera

Villa Valguarnera is the most popular site in Bagheria. Placed in the middle of a large park, it displays elegant architectural features, with a beautiful facade in red, concave, in which was placed the family’s coat of arms. Privately owned, it is usually closed to the public.

Villa Butera

Built in 1658, as a holiday residence for the powerful family of Branciforte, with its facade being modified in the following century, its internal structure has remained almost identical to the original. Within its garden there are also several wax figures. The house is private and not open to the public.

Villa Cattolica

Near the railway station lays Villa Cattolica, recently restored, in which was created the museum dedicated to Renato Guttuso.

Renato Guttuso, an important leader of nineteenth-century Italian art, a native of Bagheria, donated some of his most beautiful, colorful, and artistic themes. Over the years, many artists helped to attain others. All the works are now in the Municipal Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art of Bagheria.

Historical Background of Bagheria

The history of Bagheria is fairly recent, although traces of human settlements have been found in the area dating back to about 2500 years ago. During the Greek and Roman periods, the area was thickly wooded, which was then cut down in order to obtain lumber, and its land used for the cultivation of citrus fruits and grapes.

It was at this pleasant place, overlooking the sea, which the aristocracy of Palermo decided to seek refuge from the heat of the city. In the fourteenth century began the construction of magnificent villas, mainly in Gothic, baroque, or neoclassical style. The city assumed, more and more, the appearance of lordly center, from the streets to the tree-lined avenues, favored by the architecture of its villas and the ever constant presence of noblemen of the epoch.

Today Bagheria presents itself as a dynamic center, devoted to commerce and agriculture, in which are preserved the remains of the greatness of the ancient and powerful families of Palermo.